Even the most dedicated oenophiles might not recognize the Paicines AVA, but most have partaken of wine made from its grapes. The Paicines AVA is located within the larger San Benito AVA, in the heart of San Benito County. Although this small AVA does not have the benefit of elevation to moderate its climate, it is still affected by the last breath of cool coastal breezes, which have found gaps through the coastal mountain ranges. The climate is distinctly warmer than the neighboring Cienega, Mt. Harlan and Lime Kiln AVAs, but cooler than the Central Valley to the east. Paicines hosts the 500+ acre Vista Verde Vineyard, once owned by Almaden and currently by New York-based Dyson. The appellation produces a wide of variety of grapes that supply not only Dyson, but many of California’s largest and most prolific wineries.